Thanks for the free brain cycle time :)

The reason I *think *I know it's not transmission oil is color, i have that
redline synthetic and that as you probably know, has a definitive color to
it.

I'll drop the trans next time i have a 4 day weekend to spare and some spare
parts.

flywheel was preinstalled, i certainly hope it was properly installed but I
should check it.  i've never done a rear main seal job.  I've done seals
when changing wheel bearings.

carry on,

-Ry

On Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 2:46 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> hi,
> it was clear you were talking about the engine-transmission junction area.
>
> yeah, there shouldn't be a drop there with a fresh engine.
> and if you're sure it's engine oil.. ..  Just because trans is rebuilt that
> doesn't mean 'for sure' it can't leak some there .
>  In my brain I never think 'oh that's new, can't be that' ..
> I think the opposite ...that was just worked on ....the problem could be
> there .
> I always go for the most recent work when there's an issue ...I often find
> 'the issue' there.
>
> things that come to mind if it's engine oil -
> rear main oil seal of course.
> anything to do with end play of the crankshaft and that whole end-play
> shim/rear main seal area.
>
> oh ...here's one..........I've seen this one ...no lock-tite on the
> flywheel bolts ....oil will gradually migrate up the threads of the flywheel
> bolts if there is not a sealant or lock-tite on the bolt threads.  They
> should always bet lock-tited in of course.
> there's an o-ring on the crankshaft side of the flywheel...that's gotta be
> there.
>
> anything to do with crankcase pressure and not venting/relieving pressure
> properly.
> Waterboxers seldom have that problem ...but the oil tower ...there are
> moving parts in there...
> spring and some other part ...if that was all clogged up , could be a
> factor.
>
> doubt it's the oil itself, but consider that....brand, grade, and
> viscosity.
>
> but if the engine is new ...
> it sure shouldn't do that.  If it did that in a year say ...mabye ok,
> but new.....shouldn't be an oil drop there.
> it should be either ... a seal issue, or what the seal seals against
> .....or breather/crankcase pressure issue. ...somewhere in there.  Even
> excessive main bearing oil clearnce could cause it.  Or cheap rear main
> seal. The good ones are all red, or have a red lip where they actually do
> the sealing ...the all black ones are not so hot, but they should work find
> for a while .
>  If it was mine, I'd be taking the trans or engine out to look at things
> very carefully, much as one hates to do that over one small drop.
>
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ry" <rylincoln@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 11:59 AM
> Subject: Re: Oil leak since rebuilt 2.1l installed
>
>
>
>  when i say rear of engine i mean where it mates up with the transmission,
>> oil pump is on the "front" of the engine. sorry for the confusion, I still
>> think of the engine seperate from the van so i don't get confused on front
>> and rear designation.
>>
>> Definitely not transmission oil, i have a rebuilt trans too, replaced at
>> same time as engine.
>>
>> No oil on the engine lid, only on the bottom of the engine where
>> transmission and engine meet at the center of the case.
>>
>> I'm not calling out the rebuilder on the list, that would be poor form,
>> but
>> I didn't rebuild it, was professional rebuild.
>>
>> this is the area where it drips once or twice when stopped.
>>
>> http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3L4SAvf39FK2iLzL_frNBw?feat=directlink
>>
>> -Ry
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 1:27 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
>> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>>
>>  'carry on' ...lol.
>>>
>>> make sure it's not transmission oil ...could be.
>>>
>>> if it is engine oil...
>>> no, should not have a slow leak or any drips there.
>>> I'd say the only acceptable level of leak there would be one drop of oil
>>> sitting on the engine ..at the most ...and no drops on the ground ...
>>> shouldn't have that with a new engine.
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ry" <rylincoln@GMAIL.COM>
>>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 9:59 AM
>>> Subject: Oil leak since rebuilt 2.1l installed
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  So, I'm not terribly worried about this but am interested in the
>>> opinions
>>>
>>>> of
>>>> the hive mind here.   I installed a rebuilt 2.1l engine ~3,500 miles
>>>> ago.
>>>> Pretty much since the beginning there has been a slow oil leak from the
>>>> rear
>>>> of the engine.  I assume it's the rear main seal(what else is back
>>>> there?
>>>> It's not enough to warrant needing to add oil between oil change
>>>> intervals,
>>>> there are maybe 1 or 2 drops of oil on the ground when parked for
>>>> several
>>>> hours.
>>>>
>>>> Oh no woah as me, I know.... this is NOT a major problem, but I sure
>>>> would
>>>> like to have NO oil leaks, is this unreasonable?  Do many people have
>>>> little
>>>> leaks they just ignore?
>>>>
>>>> I reckon I'll just live with it for now.  I have an oil pressure gauge
>>>> and
>>>> oil temp gauge along with an external oil cooler so I should get warned
>>>> quickly of any lubrication troubles.
>>>>
>>>> carry on,
>>>> -Ry
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>